Just as I promised, here is the next chapter! Hope everyone has had a lovely break. Happy New Years, too! This one took me a little longer but I think you will agree by the end of it that the wait was worth it :)
Sasuke stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall to partly lay away in the shadows. It was dusk, and soon the rest of the room he stood in would be cast in darkness. I can't believe I actually did this….
His dark eyes flickered across the figures also standing in the room with him, then looking off to the right through the glass panes, as if he'd find something to distract him from the three males before him. There was no hostility in the air, but he did still have a bit of a sour taste in his mouth, since one of them was Naruto. He hadn't seen the blonde in over three weeks, since their one sided-confrontation. Yes he thought he deserved to be beaten up, but not by his best friend, especially because it had to do with her.
Ah, Sakura. A grin tugged at his lips when he first thought of her name only to be followed by a frown a moment later. To think even weeks later I still feel this shitty about what I said and did. It was also most of the reason he was here now. He wanted to get the guilty feeling off his chest, seeing as he still hadn't seen her since the Naruto confrontation. Part of him also wanted to seek her forgiveness and fix the sadness and turmoil he had caused her thus far. It was eating at him, and he couldn't resist the help he had before him.
Sasuke took his eyes off the window and onto the other guys now sitting around his living room. While Suigetsu checked his phone, Gaara sat with his eyes on Naruto, whom was staring a little fiercely at the Uchiha. It was time to break the little bit of tension. He got off the wall, approaching the other three and giving Naruto full eye contact. "I asked you here today to…" He paused for just a moment, finding the next few words hard to muster, "...to forgive me."
The strong stare he was receiving quickly softened, and he could also feel the other two looking at him. "I needed some time to cool off and reflect on what exactly I've done, even though I think you'd agree, Naruto, that Tsunade pointed it out pretty clearly. But, I still needed my time before I could approach you three." He leaned on the edge of his couch, where Naruto sat opposite end of him. Taking up the other two lounging chairs across from him were Suigetsu and Gaara, respectively. Sasuke continued, looking now at the red head. "I shouldn't have used her to push your buttons, even though I had justified it in my mind at that time, I see it was wrong to do to both of you."
He then looked at Suigetsu. "And, Suigetsu…" Another pause followed, but a blank look came in the Uchiha's eyes. "...actually, I have nothing to apologize to you for."
It came across rather blunt and the blue-haired male furrowed his brow in response, "Well fuck you too!"
He pouted and crossed his arms, but Sasuke followed with a rebuttal and a softer choice of words, "I still need you here as my friend-" then he looked onto the other two attentive males, "-all of you."
"Aww, Sasuke you're so fuckin' adorable!" Suigetsu should have known better than to poke at the Uchiha's exposed, rarely seen soft side. He felt the kick sooner than he could see it, finding himself flat on his ass seconds later.
"The next one will be harder and in the face." Suigetsu calmed himself and got back in the chair, dropping his care-free and eccentric attitude. He understood, a little later than he should have, this was a serious, no-shit meeting.
Gaara now spoke up for the first time, "I can put my feelings aside, but I don't think I can say the same about Naruto." Now the conversation shifted to the raven and the blonde. Sasuke knew this conversation had to happen first before they could move on to the big reason he wanted them here.
He drew in a breath and stood up, facing the blue eyed male. Even though his eyes had softened when he mentioned seeking forgiveness, there was still a fire behind them. Sasuke was almost positive he wouldn't get punched in the face. He still wanted to make sure. "Naruto, are you going to try to hit me?"
Dead silence followed as they shared an intense gaze. It only took a moment for Naruto to stand up, across from the Uchiha. A slight pout came to his face, "No. You're one of my best friends and you are trying to fix your bonds with us." But then his voice picked up, "But it's not my forgiveness you need to seek now, it's Sakura's!"
Mother fucker beat me to it! Sasuke cursed under his breath, letting some of his upset feelings come out, "I know! But how am I going to do that!?"
It was clear to everyone in the room that this was really all about the Haruno, Sasuke hadn't explained himself well at all. Suigetsu knew the most of any of them, but not all of his hunches had been confirmed. Gaara had his ideas as well, but Naruto really needed to hear him out.
The Uchiha exhaled, looking at Naruto. "I fucked up big time. I know how you feel about her-"
"Felt."
"Wait, what?" This completely caught Sasuke off guard, and he stayed quiet for a moment, only looking at the blonde in anticipation of an explanation.
"At first, I was upset that you hooked up with Sakura. But what made me completely furious was how you treated her afterwards, and how she remains to feel." A twinge hit his heart, brow furrowing, stomach rolling. He felt disgusted with himself. "She is a close friend of mine, but there was never any romantic feelings. I've actually been seeing Hinata for about a month now and she actually really likes me!" His signature fox grin spread across his face, hand rubbing the back of his head as he swooned about her for a moment. Gaara grinned and slightly shook his head while Suigetsu ticked away at his phone some more. This wasn't new news to these guys, but in the few weeks of chaos, Sasuke had just been left out on this one.
Sasuke was still brooding on the inside while his friend continued on a different note. Naruto's face grew a little stern, "That aside, I think we are all her out of the concern for you and Sakura's well being. Mostly Sakura's." For now, the rift between the 4 males - even though Suigetsu didn't really count- had subsided. There was no more need for emotions and niceties toward each other because they were all on the same page. The shark-like male was here as Sasuke's right hand guy more so than about Sakura, but he still found her a part of his life. Some more than others in the room, and it was very debatable who wanted her well being the most.
Sasuke sighed, sitting on the back of his couch and with his hands at his sides. He knew before he summoned this meeting that he needed to be open and honest with these friends of his if he were to get anywhere with Sakura. "You're right, Naruto. I WOULD like to blame myself 110 percent on this matter, however…" He gave a crooked look to the red head male, "...Gaara, I think this roots back to you and Aoi and Sakura took that event the wrong way."
He received a slight nod in agreement, "Yes, and she continued to be upset with me until I cleared things later, but everyone in this room is on good terms with her except you."
Sasuke deeply frowned, looking at the other guys. His arms were crossed now, brooding a little. "So, you've all been seeing her while she's been on this extended vacation?"
Even Suigetsu gave a nod, but with how he was getting looked at, he gave an explanation. "Hey, I needed help on my medical final this week!"
The concern shifted off that topic and to Gaara. "I've comforted her several times, since she has that house to herself most the time. Ino has been staying over and so has Temari and some of the other girls. Really, we're keeping her occupied." Now the red-head sighed, giving full attention to Sasuke, "Until you, she was fixing her feelings of male fondness on me. They are entirely gone actually, and you know first hand how just me, who never even kissed her, made her upset for a few weeks. Now think about it…" Everyone stayed focused on the conversation, "...From what I know, first you showed you cared about her and had some kind of feelings, and then you took control and led her down a path where she fucked you, upsetting the rest of us a bit." And if even Gaara was upset enough to lose his composure and raise his voice, now was the time.
His green-blue eyes locked intensely with the Uchiha, "And then, because she wouldn't hear you out, you cuss the girl out and cast her on the side like trash! And she is going to remain feeling that way until YOU do something about it!" Sasuke could see the tables were turning quickly on him, but he deserved it. Gaara was completely right, and he could even sense that Suigetsu was upset, let alone the other two. They were all friends of Sakura's, and she seemed to be suffering enough to get them all worked up.
This is worse than I thought.
The Uchiha remained silent for a moment, letting it sink in. In order to explain himself though, he had to be honest to his friends. "Look guys, there's a reason I've acted so fucking stupid about this, so hear me out please." He stopped his momentary brooding from his spot on the couch to check if he had everyone's attention. He did. Sasuke closed his eyes and looked forward as his next words came out, "Sakura was actually my first too."
"WWHHHHAATTTT?!"
While both the blonde and blue haired male exclaimed out loud, shocked, Gaara remained seated and quiet, with almost a smug look on his face. Sasuke expected some surprise in the room, but why wasn't Gaara saying anything? They both shared a momentary gaze while he thought.
Gaara has a heads-up on these guys, like he knows much more than he's letting on. I wonder if he's gonna be the most help here? The Uchiha excused the surprised outburst of his other two friends to focus on the last male presence. "This doesn't surprise you, Gaara?"
It quieted down while he replied, "No, I've had my suspicions and ideas about why you've been acting so funny with Sakura, but it's only starting to be confirmed now."
Ah, now this piqued the raven's interest. His brow raised, curious, "Oh?"
These two males didn't need many words to communicate, just the right kind of look. Gaara sat upright and scooted himself closer to the other male. "I think first she caught your eye with her vulnerable side when you showed you cared for her, and that opened a whole other realm for you. While we are all very aware you used to have a semi-serious girl, nothing happened with her sexually, so you kept laying it on thick with other girls to cover up that pain. But then you met Sakura and she showed you how sweet and caring she was. You took it fast with her because your feelings came on so strong with her, whether you can admit that yet or not."
"Strong feelings...for Sakura? As in…?" While the Uchiha could admit he had feelings for her, what kind of feelings besides sexual and guilt did he have? Why did he want to make her feel better?
I know I want to make it right with Sakura, but...I haven't thought much past that, have I? What do I see with her…?
Gaara continued, "Before I answer that, maybe you can conclude your own answer. Now, after you two hooked up, you tried taking on that Himiko girl, but something about you just wasn't into it, am I wrong?" Sasuke only nodded and listened while he was being read like a book. "So you wanted to essentially tell her to fuck off, but Sakura saw and got the wrong impression, and when you wanted to actually put your feelings in words for her, she wouldn't hear it, and then you proceeded to blow the fuck up." He let out a breath, continuing the last of his speech, "Here we are about a month later, going into Winter break, and you are still wracked with guilt, still holding those feelings for her."
While Gaara stared right into the Uchiha's deep, dark eyes, the other two males sat on the edge of their seat with anticipation. "Now I ask you Sasuke, what is it you feel for her exactly?"
Eye contact was never broken, though his dark eyes seemed lost. "I...I don't know exactly."
The thickness it the atmosphere dulled somewhat as Gaara tried to help him conclude an answer. "If I say her name, Sakura, what's the first thing you feel?"
There was the slight grin again, "Happy, I suppose." For just his own private moment, he embraced the feeling he got when he thought about Sakura, before he caused her all the pain and let his guilt mask his feelings. He could feel warm inside, thinking about her bright green eyes and that cute smile. God, not to mention that amazing body of hers. God if I could just…
Sasuke flashed back to reality and looked upon the other males. Every single one of them had some kind of grin on their face. Naruto had the most devious look on his face, sitting even closer to Sasuke and smugly smiling from ear to ear, eyes squinting. "W-what?!" The raven was a bit flabberghasted at the silent smiles in the room around him, like they all could see something he didn't.
Oh wait, I see what this is. Sasuke shook his head slightly, crossing his arms, almost laughing, "Oh come on, I'll give it that maybe I LIKE her." None of them looked convinced.
Naruto scooted even slower, grinning even deeper. "Sasuke and Sakura sitting in a tree-"
"Oh jesus christ we're almost seniors!" Sasuke has to hold his hand out and press it to the blonde's forehead while he made kissy faces, keeping him from getting any closer.
Gaara spoke up while Suigetsu laid back and soaked this all in, "I'm not trying to tell you how you feel, but I know what love looks like when I see it."
The Uchiha felt his face drain, and then flush back up with an intense heat. He gently shoved Naruto onto the couch as his head dropped, eyes covered by his hair.
Do I love Sakura?
This new rush of emotions was getting to him, stomach filling with a tingly feeling, his heart fluttering about as it thumped wildly. He shook his head, rising from his seat. Sasuke did his best to hide his reddened face as he somewhat glanced in the ways of his friends, hands in his pockets. "I think it's way too soon to use that word. I'd like to focus on making Sakura happy again…"
Even just saying that last part - admitting he wanted to see her happy - still made him blush. Oh my god what are these feelings?
He kicked at the floor somewhat, looking back at it while he waited for the conversation to be taken off his feelings. "Well Sasuke, there is only one thing for you to do at this point." The raven lifted his eyes to look at Naruto, who was speaking to him. His blue eyes were filled with hope and determination, and he listened to his foxy friend. "You just need to talk to her! That's all she needs and nothing else!"
Sasuke looked at the other two males who simply nodded in agreement. For the first time in a while, Suigetsu spoke up, "I was going to drop Sakura off a thank-you gift tomorrow, I could ask and see how she'd feel to getting a visit from you, let alone a text."
"No, but thank you. This one...I need to handle it my own way." Hearing that from the Uchiha made all of them grin in response. This was his repose. "I don't have a plan yet, but I will make things right with Sakura." Before excusing his friends at the end of the night, he asked them all to keep this whole meeting between the four of them, which they all agreed to. It didn't take long for Sasuke to make his way up to his room and whip out his cell phone. He began to scroll down his contacts list, stopping on one name in particular. His eyes stayed on the name for a moment, taking in a breath before hitting the 'call' button.
"Ah, Sasuke! I was wondering when I'd hear from you."
"Hey Itachi, sorry it's been so long, but I really need some brotherly advice…"
It was a clear, cloudless and cold day. A slight wind blew through Sakura's pink hair, her eyes cast on the water below her. She was in the neighborhood's local park right down the street, standing on the large wooden bridge. This particular bridge was rather large with three walkways, one to her left, her right, and the other behind her going under the overpass where the cars buzzed by. Some other people walked around the park, but she wanted to stay where she was, leaning slightly over the wooden sides to see the strong current flowing not far beneath.
She needed to focus on something while she waited for him to meet her. I can't believe I'm actually doing this…
The Haruno shut her eyes and focused on the sound of the rushing water, still feeling the slight, cool breeze. It was nearly the end of break, after Christmas by a few days, but not quite the New Year. It was an odd place to be in, with her emotions feeling additionally mixed up. At least she hadn't received any hate mail and still had her friends. It seemed Tsunade was correct when she said this situation would blow over. Well, most of it seemed it the past. The only part left was the one big part - the calm before the storm. But if she couldn't face him now, when would she ever?
Her green eyes flashed open as her hands gripped the wooden rail of the bridge, leaning back and looking at the blue sky as she exhaled. Her breath trailed off into the air, glance fixated upwards in thought. "I just want to let go of the pain…" Sadness began to creep into heart. The pain still stung in her chest from Sasuke's words, not have seen him since that last day at school. She did, however, hear from him last night, which is why she was here today. Even though she wanted to stay pissed and hurt, it had lasted way too long. People can't hold onto these feeling forever, and today, maybe it would end.
"Sakura?"
Any funny feeling she had before vanished as soon as she heard that voice. Her head turned to the left from her still leaning-back position while she held the banister, jade eyes meeting with a dark, onyx pair. As badly as she wanted to keep her angry feelings toward him, she just couldn't upon seeing him and that look on his face. He looked tired, sad, and down worn out. He looked like she had felt this whole time.
"Hey, Sasuke." The Haruno stood upright and faced her body toward him as he approached. A crooked, somewhat sad grin came to his face, followed by a slight wave before he tucked his hands back in his pockets. Nothing at all seemed hostile about him - if anything, she received quite the opposite feeling.
"Thanks for meeting me such short notice. I think it's about time we talk about...this." He stopped just short of her, keeping his eyes in hers. She gave a nod, turning her body back to the edge of the wooden wall. Sasuke followed suite, and they stood next to one another, looking over the water. The Uchiha let out a breath and they both watched it sail away in the cool air. "I'm sorry."
The tears immediately began to tug at Sakura's eyes, but she kept looking forward and hoped he wouldn't notice. She agreed to come here to hear him out, since she never had yet. "I'm not sure how to get to the point, but I'd like to start with that shit-show at school." The Haruno had some insight to what happened that day, but she had yet to hear from him about the majority of it. "What you saw that day coming up the stairs was me holding her face about to tell her to fuck off."
"Sasuke-."
"No, please, just hear me out." They had shared a momentary sideways glance, since she was shocked that she had the complete wrong impression, but she nodded and let him continue. Her eyes couldn't help but linger on him a little as he continued. "She was giving you shit, actually, and I just couldn't listen to it anymore. But you saw it happen, and then I did the opposite and hurt you. Sakura-" He paused to look into her jade eyes, which were already with his and brimming with tears. She was trying to hold back. "-I'm so sorry. Everything I said was such a lie, I never even slept with her, I was just flustered and-"
Before he could even react, she reached out and tugged on his upper coat arm. But once he understood her body language, he couldn't help but grab her back a little harder and take her into his arms. It felt so good to have her in his embrace, comforting her once again, even if it was over their personal messed up relations. But this was forgiveness and it never felt so good before. He could feel her fingertips gripping strongly into his back, her face pressed into his chest. He knew she was trying her best not to cry, and while she wasn't making any sobbing noises, she still sniffled and tried to hide her face.
"Oh Sakura…" Nothing else mattered in this moment to him than consoling the girl before him. He didn't care what other people may think who walked by or the people close by, seeing their embrace. He squeezed her a little harder and brought one hand to the back of her head, letting his cool fingers run through her hair. She made a little squeaking noise when he did this, also grabbing his middle back with more force. The raven slightly grinned, happily, "does this mean you forgive me?"
He felt an aggressive nod into his chest, and then she did start to make those sobbing noises, even if she was trying to do so quietly. Her body trembled somewhat, letting out the last of those pent up feelings of sadness. It was starting to get to Sasuke - he was starting to feel a warmness come to his face, his eyes stinging with a salty feeling.
I need to help calm her down before I get caught up in her feelings.
He did the first thing that came to his mind, from his heart. He did it without even thinking. Sasuke drew in a breath from his nose, his chest rising slightly as he still held Sakura. She momentarily paused as he exhaled from his mouth, resting his chin on her head for just a moment. He felt her grip weaken and the sobbing noises came to an end. She moved her head slightly to the side and upwards a little, just enough for one of her green eyes to peek up at him. He glanced down at her and saw this, and lifted his head so she could come away from his chest. Both of them let their arms slowly drop down, but they still remained holding one another loosely. Sasuke did keep one of his hands on the back of her head, and as he got to look right into those beautiful jade eyes, he moved his hand to the front of her face. Even though Sakura had tears all over her red, blushing face and some clear stuff running from her nose, she looked prettier than she ever had, especially her bright, shimmering eyes.
As he kept his eyes with hers, he grinned, bringing his thumb to her cheek to wipe away one of her last falling tears. Wow, her skin is so soft…
his mind began to drift as he lost himself in her eyes, and then they dropped to her lips, where his hand was moving to her chin. He had an enormous urge to touch her lips. My god I just really want to… kiss her…
Sasuke came to his senses in the next moment, realizing just how close his face was to hers and how red her face became. She was speechless and looked shocked. Oh shit, quick be smooth and fix this! The fingers that he had on her chin moved away and upward to her forehead, where he pointed out his index finger and gently poked her forehead.
The rosette still looked surprised, nevertheless she blushed deeply and held a cute look on her face, lips slightly pouted out. Their hands were off one another now, just standing close together on the bridge, still hearing the rushing water in the background. "I don't think I've ever seen you smile so much before, Sasuke."
He didn't care at all that she pointed out his happiness. If anything, he was glad she did. "It's because I'm with you."
Sakura's heart nearly jumped from her chest, looking into his dark, warm eyes, seeing that wonderful grin of his. Even though his words surprised her, he seemed so undisturbed and truly happy. The same smile came onto her face, her whole body feeling warm and tingly, despite the cool breeze that whipped up. "Sasuke?"
"Hmm?"
"Could you...stay here a little longer with me?"
It was music to his ears hearing her ask this. He nodded and kept that smug grin on his face, "Nothing would make me happier." And that was the truth.